For nearly 60 years, St. Jude Medical Center has met the needs of the community, by offering the highest quality care with compassion and respect. We are one of Southern California's most respected and technologically advanced hospitals, and our four core values: dignity, excellence, service and justice are the guiding principles for everything we do. St. Jude is synonymous with exceptional care that extends beyond good medicine to a commitment to caring for you – mind, body and spirit.

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St. Jude Medical Center has proudly served Southern California for over six decades, offering compassionate care of the highest quality. Our staff is composed of nearly 700 physicians who represent every specialty from cancer care to orthopedics. We always strive to set a new standard in quality and care.

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At St. Jude Medical Center, we are proud to serve the healthcare and medical needs of people throughout Southern California. Find out about our specialties by clicking the option above, or search through all of our services by choosing the letter or search to the left.

Today, St. Jude Medical Center’s commitment to excellence is more important than ever—and it is a generous community that makes that commitment possible. But as the medical needs of this community continue to grow, so does the importance of those willing to give to ensure state-of-the-art care. There are many ways you can help. To learn more, please call the St. Jude Memorial Foundation at (714) 992-3033.

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Take the Meningitis Quiz

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Both viruses and bacteria cause meningitis. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening; viral meningitis seldom is. Learn more about bacterial meningitis through this quiz.

1. Bacterial meningitis is caused by only one kind of bacteria.

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It can be caused by several different kinds of bacteria. Some of the more common bacteria that cause meningitis are H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis.

A. TrueB. False

2. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can develop quickly.

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The symptoms in adults and children can appear suddenly and include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, discomfort with bright light, nausea, and vomiting. The symptoms in newborns may be subtle and include fever, lethargy, poor feeding, problems breathing, irritability, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, the person may have seizures.

A. TrueB. False

3. A person with symptoms or signs of bacterial meningitis should seek immediate emergency medical treatment.

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Even if treated, some types of bacterial meningitis can lead to brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disability. Because the initial symptoms of bacterial meningitis and the much milder viral meningitis are so similar, you can't diagnose yourself. It's important to see your health care provider immediately.

A. TrueB. False

4. Some types of bacterial meningitis can be prevented.

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The Hib, or Haemophilus influenzae type b, vaccine has reduced the number of cases of meningitis caused by this bacterium. Today, the leading causes of bacterial meningitis are S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis. A vaccine is available for S. pneumoniae; it's recommended for people over age 65, people with a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease, and people who have a weakened immune system or who are HIV-positive. A vaccine for N. meningitidis, which causes meningococcal meningitis, is recommended for children ages 11 and 12, teenagers, and college freshman, as well as anyone between ages 2 and 55 who is at increased risk for contracting the disease.

A. TrueB. False

5. College campuses are areas where bacterial meningitis can spread quickly.

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Some forms of bacterial meningitis are mildly contagious and can be spread through coughing or kissing. The majority of cases occur in children, but the incidence among teens and young adults 15 to 24 years old is increasing. Meningococcal meningitis, a form of meningitis caused by N. meningitidis, can spread easily wherever a large number of people live, such as among college students in dormitories. The CDC now recommends that children ages 11 and 12, teens, and college freshmen who live in dorms be vaccinated against this particular form of meningitis.

A. TrueB. False

6. Older adults are more susceptible to pneumococcal diseases, including meningitis and pneumonia.

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Because of this, the CDC recommends that adults 65 and older get a vaccine against S. pneumoniae, which causes pneumococcal meningitis.

A. TrueB. False

7. Most people who are diagnosed early with bacterial meningitis and treated promptly will recover fully.

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In some cases, however, the bacterial infection can progress so quickly that the person dies within 48 hours, even with treatment. The bacteria that cause meningitis are becoming resistant to many of the antibiotics that were once used to treat it. Newer, more expensive drugs must now be used.

A. TrueB. False

8. A doctor confirms a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with a spinal tap.

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A doctor uses a physical exam and medical history to diagnose meningitis, and then confirms the diagnosis through a sample of spinal fluid, obtained through a spinal tap. The results of the spinal tap can also help the doctor determine whether the meningitis is caused by a bacteria or virus and which antibiotic is the most effective if it is a bacterial meningitis. Antibiotics do not affect the viral form of meningitis, usually a much milder disease that clears up within 10 days.